Fossilized human feces, otherwise known as coprolites, can teach us some interesting things about our paleolithic ancestors diet. The most important thing gleaned from this  research is that our earliest relatives ate a ton of fiber-rich foods. In fact, it is estimated that they ate as much as 100 grams of fiber daily. This is in stark contrast to the amount of fiber that most Americans get today – somewhere between 10 and 20 grams.

Fiber is essential to overall health and wellness. It helps keep the gastrointestinal tract happy and can have a positive influence on digestive disorders and even colon cancer. Fiber has also been seen to have a positive impact on blood sugar control, cardiovascular conditions and weight management.

Including a wide array of vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and legumes in you diet can help ensure that you are getting adequate fiber. Here are some of the best sources to include: sweet potatoes, beans, nuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, greens, apples, berries, onions, cauliflower, and peas. Keep your diet full of a high variety of fiber-rich foods and aim for about 4o grams a day.

Go out and find some fiber!

– Dr. Joshua Levitt